JAPAN PM CONVEYS TO TRUMP SUPPORT FOR HIS EFFORT TO BRING "PEACE" TO WORLD

WASHINGTON, March 20 (Bernama-Kyodo) -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told US President Donald Trump on Thursday that Japan is ready to assist in his effort to bring "peace and prosperity" to the world, with the two leaders agreeing to communicate closely to ensure vessels can safely transit the Strait of Hormuz as the US-Israeli war on Iran intensifies.

After their meeting in Washington, the two governments unveiled three new business projects worth a total of US$73 billion under Tokyo's US$550 billion commitment made last year in exchange for US tariff relief, as well as three other agreements featuring critical minerals to boost economic security.

Kyodo news reported Takaichi told reporters after her White House meeting with Trump that the two also affirmed Japan-US collaboration on expanding US energy production, and she proposed to him a joint oil-reserve project to ease supply concerns driven by the conflict.

As for Trump's hopes that Japan and other nations will send warships to the strait now largely blocked by Iran, Takaichi said she explained to the US leader "in detail what Japan can do and cannot do" from a legal perspective under the country's war-renouncing Constitution.

"We were able to affirm many concrete forms of cooperation that will further enhance the quality of our alliance in wide-ranging fields," Takaichi said, adding that she and Trump aim to elevate the bilateral ties to "a higher level" together.

The newly announced Japanese-US business projects include the construction of small modular nuclear reactors in Tennessee and Alabama, valued at US$40 billion.

During the part of their talks that was open to media, Takaichi praised Trump's "peace" efforts, expressing readiness to help them by reaching out to other countries. "Donald is the only person who can bring peace and prosperity across the world," she said.

The prime minister also said the prospect of Iran developing nuclear weapons is unacceptable. Trump alluded earlier to Iran's nuclear programme to explain the US. decision to launch its latest military campaign against the country.

Facing an increasingly assertive China, Takaichi also reminded Trump that the security environment remains severe in the Indo-Pacific, at a time when reports have emerged that some US military assets are being moved from the region to the West Asia.

Trump, for his part, said he believes Japan is "stepping up to the plate" in recent days over the Iran war, "unlike NATO."

The US leader has made public his dissatisfaction with Washington's allies, including Tokyo and members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, for their reluctance to pitch in to ensure safety in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil transportation now largely blocked by Iran.

Noting that more than 90 percent of Japan's crude oil imports normally pass through the strait, Trump said, "That's a big reason" for Japan "to step up."

Trump also welcomed Japan buying "a lot of" US military equipment. He further stressed that he has a "very fine relationship" with Takaichi, describing her as "a very special person" who is doing a "fantastic job."

Takaichi's main goals in her first trip to the United States since taking office in October were to strengthen the personal trust in her ties with Trump and reaffirm the US security commitment to the Indo-Pacific region as China's influence grows, according to Kyodo.

The meeting came amid increasing concerns within Japan that the US focus on policy and military assets could shift from the Indo-Pacific to the Middle East if the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran drags on, a development that would work in China's favour.

Among the international community, the US military operation in Iran launched at the end of last month is viewed with widespread skepticism.

The US military has reportedly begun relocating the amphibious assault ship Tripoli and over 2,000 Marines from their bases in southwestern and southern Japan to West Asia.

Takaichi got off to a positive start in building personal ties with Trump when they met in person for the first time in October in Tokyo, shortly after she became Japan's first female prime minister.

She is known for hawkish views on diplomacy and security similar to those of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who forged a close bond with Trump during his first four-year presidential term from 2017.

Since the breakout of the West Asia conflict, Tokyo has been pressed to strike a delicate balance between maintaining its strong alliance with Washington and its friendly relations with Tehran.

Takaichi's government has refrained from making a legal assessment about the US and Israeli military operations against Iran, which have been criticised by some countries and organisations as preemptive attacks violating international law.

Meanwhile, Japan has condemned Iran for its attacks, made in response to the US-Israeli strikes, on other countries in the Mideast that have resulted in civilian casualties and damage to oil and other infrastructure.

Before announcing on social media Tuesday that their naval support is no longer needed while voicing his displeasure, Trump had pressured countries such as Japan, South Korea, and NATO members to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz to ensure safe navigation.

On Friday, Takaichi will visit Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, which honours unidentified war dead. She will return to Japan on Saturday after wrapping up her three-day stay in Washington.

-- BERNAMA-KYODO